Device for solidifying liquids and gases



June 14,1932. E. J. LocKwooD DEVICE FOR SOLIDIFYING LIQUIDS AND GASESFiled Jan. 28, 1929 i@ .a 7 z 5U, vZi j y@ j J7 (A ATTORNEY PatentedJune 14, lesz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN J. LOOKWOOD, OFPEEKSKILL, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO THE BORDEN COMPANY, OIEA NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEYDEVICE FOR SOLIDIFYING LIQUIDS ANI)I GASES 'Application led January 28,1929. Serial No. 335,702.

It is an object of my invention to produce -a device of this type whichwill be inexpensive to manufacture and highly eflicient in operation.

It is my further obj ect to produce a device of this type which will bereadily adapted to existing machinery and methods of solidifying liquidsand gases. I am familiar with the conventional process of producingsolidified liquids and gases, particularly solidified carbon dioxidegas, and the like.

Methods heretofore employed in such processes are highly inefficient,inasmuch asthe solidified subst-ance isobtained out of and as a part ofthe energy source supply which creates it. To be more specific in themanufacture of solidified carbon dioxide gas it is conventional topermit such 'liquefied gas to escape :freely in a confined chamber wherea portion of the liquefied gas precipitates as a solid by absorption ofheat in its own liquid and the unprecipitated portion is thenreconverted back into the system.

It is my object to accomplish solidification by separating' the energysource supply from the product supply; that is to say by setting up twocycles, first a primary or energycycle the gas or liquid in which isalways self-contained and separated from my secondary or product cycle,which latter cycle I use exclusively as a supply circuit of solidifiedliquid or gas as the case may be. It must be understood, of course, thatthe original source supply both for my primary and secondary cycle maybe the same. Y

It will appear that I accomplish the further object of facilitating therecovery of my final product isasmuch as I have the same collected incontainer units which lend themselves to handling and the like. This ismore readily seen when it is appreciated that in the process asheretofore used the gas precipitated is in the form of crystals or snowwhich have to be physically'removed'from the precipitating chamber andthereafter" compressed and placed into suitable containers whichobviously involves considerable loss.

It is 4a further object of my invention to? provide a suitable structureto permit of the removal of the nal container or finished product fromthe position in which the gas or liquid is solidified and it is also myobject to accomplish the foregoing at the same time utilizing a methodwhich will give positive contact between the finished product containerand the chamber of expansion.

Other objects will more fully appear from the following description anddrawing:

Fig. l shows a diagrammatic sketch, partly in section,` of mydevice'assembled and Fig. 2 shows a sectional elevation of the containerhead along the plane Z-YZ.

Referring now to F ig. 1, 1 is the high pressure feed line leading froma conventional condenser receiver of the ordinary type used for carbondioxide or similar gases which will give suliiciently cold temperatureson expansion to perform the workrequired in each particular case. Forexample in the case of an expansion chamber where it is required tosolidify carbon dioxide gas it will be necessary to reach temperaturesas low as approximately 115 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (below zero). Adesignates the expansion Valve on this line. rThis leads directly intothe privmary circuit expansion chamber section designated 2. Thischamber 2 is solidly constructed and adapted to withstand pressures upto 200 to 500 pounds per square inch. The top 4 of this chamber, whichis a portion of my primary circuit, contains a circular or other cut outportion centrally disposed therein and surrounding the periphery of suchcut out portion is a small buffer ring 19, fastened to the inner portion16 of a vertically disposed additional section of said chamber as shown.This vertically hung portion has the general shape of the secondarycontainer 17 into which the finished product is introducedl andaccumulated. The outer section of the vertically disposed portion 16 isprovided with vein-like or iin portions 20 the better to provide contactfor the expanding refrigerating gases flowing in the chamber 2. Thegases are withdrawn from chamber 2 through the suction line 3 leading tothe compressor and thus back into the primary energy source circuit. Itmust be understood that the lead pipe 3 leading to the compressor mayfirst be 100 brought into contact with the supplylead 1 in aconventional manner so that the temperature of the gases in 3, which inthe case of carbon dioxide are approximately minus 115 Fahrenheit, Willbe utilized to cool the liquid flowing in lead 1 and thereby utilizeallthe units available inthe system to the best advantage. It will appearthat any gas refrigerant expanded into the chamber 2 from the line 1will readily cool the veins or fins 20 of the vertically disposedportion 1G. It must also be understood that I may construct a pluralityof portions 16 all connected to a common feed 1 and free to be effectedby the expanded gases from the feed 1 but in each case having thecentral disposed cut out portion in the top. Having thus described myprimary energy source circuit I will now refer to the secondary circuitwhich gives me my finished p roductsupply.

This circuit consists of a h1gh pressure feed line 13 adapted to feedone or more of my cans or containers 17, each being connected through alead pipe 12 having a valve B adapted to sustain pressures of 900 to1,000 pounds per square inch of liquid or gas such as carbon dioxide orthe like which I may, of course, obtain from the same basic source asused in my primary energy circuit. .Of course some of the liquids orgases used may be under much higher. pressures but a preferredembodiment of my system utilizes carbon dioxide gas at such pressure, orless. This lead pipe 12 is connected throu ha suitable union to coverthe head lead 11 rmly attached to the cover 10 of an inner final con-Atainer 17, the container 17 having a shoulder 6 adapted to be firmlyclamped by bolts or other clamps 7 to the cover 4 of the primarychamber, also tightly down lagainst the cushion or bu'er ring 19constructed of felt or other suitable material. The container 17 mayalso be equipped with handles 8 or other suitable provision for liftingand may be hinged at 9 to cover 10 or otherwise firmly attached thereto.The cover 10 is provided also with a pressure gauge 14 and air ventvalve l15.

By referenceto Fig. 2 it will appear that I .show a liquid between thewalls of the finished product container 17 and the wall of thevertically disposed portion 16 of my-primaryexpansion chamber 2. Thepurpose of th1s ll'quid as I have stated in my objects is 'to providefirst a contactor between the low temperatures developed in theexpansion chamber andthe product to be solidified in the finishedchamber 17, -and second to provide a support-for thev pressuresdeveloped in the finished product chamber. WereV it not for the use ofthis liquid the walls of the finis'hed product chamber 17 would requireconstruction of a prohibitively fheavy material and by the introductionof this liquid, preferably alcohol or some other low freezingliquid, Ican construct my chamber 17 of light material and yet prevent bulgingbecause of the non-compressibility of this liquid in its confined space.Sufficient liquid is introduced into the vertically disposed portion 16so that the displacement thereof when 17 is inserted therein is enoughto cause said liquid to approach approximately to the buffer ring 19 sothat every portion of the outside of 17 is in contact with said liquidthereby insuring against the expansion of 17 ,under the pressure of itscontents before the same is solidified. 'f

It must be understood that I may also provide other means formaintaininga complete flush condition of this liquid in the portion 16other than by mere displacement such as a force pump connection.

The operation of my device is in. general as follows The finishedproduct container 17 is placed into the chamber provided by thevertically disposed portion 16, the shoulder 6 is brought intoengagement solidly with the top 4 and the ring 19 and is securelyclamped in place by the through bolts7 or other suitable clamping meansand the expanded gases are permitted to be introduced through the valveA into the primary expansion chamber' 2 and after suitable expansionpermitted to escape through the lead pipe 3. They are, of course, drawnby the suction of the compressor for recompression through the primarysystem. This expansion inthe case of carbon dioxide provides atemperature within the expansion chamber 2 in contact with the veins orfins 20 of portion 16 down to a possible .temperature of about minus 160Fahrenheit depending upon the suction pressure but for my purpose itwill appear that temperatures. down to minus 115 Fahrenheit aresuiicient inasmuch as a preferred embodiment of my device eontemplates asolidification in the container 17 of carbon dioxide.

After the finished product container 17 is securely fastened in placethe valve B is opened andthe liquid or gas to be solidified is allowedto pass through the pipes 12 and 11 and the head or cover 10 directlyinto container 17 and any air present in 17 is forced out through thevent hole valve 15 in the cover` 10. Of course it must be understoodthat I may use preliminary exhaust means connected with the vent holevalve 15 to prel tainer 17, the pressure will approximate 300 pounds persquare inch and upon complete solidification of the gas, carbon dioxidefor example, a temperature of minus 109" Fahrenheit Will give aregistration of zero on the pressure gauge 14. Of course the valve B hasheretofore been closed and I am now readyto disconnect the pipes 11 and12 and remove the container 17 containing the solidi` lied liquid. Thesolidified removed from' the container 17 after opening the to or head10 and the container 17 made availa le for another charge. It must beunderstood, as I have plurality of finished product containers such as17 may be used in one general expansion chamber 2 and may be connectedthrough a plurality of lead-in pipes 12 to the product supply line 13.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byUnited States Letters Patent is 1. In a device for solidifying liquids,an enclosed expansion chamber adapted to receive a container forsolidified liquid, means for securing said container to said chamber,

with means for `inserting liquid into said container under pressure andsimultaneous means for preventing the distortion of said container underpressure and for conducting the heat of the liquid in said container tosaid chamber.

2. In a device for solidifying liquids, an enclosed expansion chamberadapted to receive a plurality of containers for solidified liquid,means for securing said containers to said'chamber, with means forinserting liquid into said containers under pressure and simultaneousmeans for preventing the distortion of said containers under pressureand for conducting the heat of the liquid in said containers to saidchamber.

3. In a device for solidifying liquids, an enclosed expansion chamberadapted to receive a container for solidified liquid, means for securingsaid container to said chamber, a cushion ring connected with saidchamber at engagement with the top of said container, with means forinserting liquid into said container under pressure and simultaneousmeans for preventing the distortion of said container under pressure andfor conducting the heat of the liquid in said container to said chamber.

4. In a device for solidifying liquids, an enclosed expansion chamberadapted to receive a plurality of containers for solidified liquid,means for securing said containers to said chamber, a cushion ringconnected with said chamber at engagement with the top of saidcontainers, with means for inserting liquid into said containers underpressure and simultaneous means for preventing, in process, thedistortion of said containers under product is readily previouslystated, that apressure and for conducting the heat of the liquid in saidcontainers to said chamber.

5. A device of the type described having an expansion chamber, avertically disposed portion therein adapted to conform to the .shape ofa container to be inserted and secured therein, said container having ashoulder, a cover, a pipe connection, a pressure gauge in said cover, avent in said cover, buffer ring between said container and saidvertically disposed portion, low freezing liquid between said containerand said vertically disposed portion, said liquid free to be displacedby the insertion of said container and to completely surround saidcontainer between its Wall and the wall of said vertically disposedportion, means for securing said shoulder' to said chamber.

6. A device of the type described having an expansion chamber, avertically disposed portion therein, equipped with a plurality ofrefrigeration fins and adapted to conform to the shape of a container tobe inserted and secured therein, said container having a shoulder, acover, a pipe connection, a pressure gauge in said cover, a vent in saidcover, buffer ring between said container and said vertically disposedportion, low freezing liquid between said container and said verticallydisposed portion, said liquid free to be displaced by the insertion ofsaid container and to completely surround said container` between itswall and the Wall of said vertically disposed portion, means forsecuring said shoulder to said chamber.

7. A device of the type described having an expansion chamber, avertically disposed portion therein adapted to conform to the shape of acontainer to be inserted and secured therein, said container having ashoulder, a cover, a 4pipe connection, a pressure gauge in said cover, avent valve in said cover, buler ring between said container and saidvertically disposed portion, low freezing liquid between said containerand said vertically disposed portion, said liquid free to be displacedby the insertion of said container and to completely surround saidcontainer between its wall and the wall of said vertically disposedportion, 'means for securing said shoulder to said chamber and `aplurality of said containers in such an expansion chamber.

8. In a device of the type described, means for inserting liquid carbondioxide under pressure into a container, means for placing saidcontainer into an expansion chamber Where said liquid will be solidifiedwith means, after solidification, of removing said container Without theutilization of temperature or pressure change in said container.

9. The combination with a removable solidifying chamber havingrelatively thin and smooth heat-conducting walls, of an outer chamberadapted to contain cooling material, a conducting jacket located aroundthe solidinos fying chamberand spaced from said solidiying chamber andadapted to withstand pressure, the jacket being provided with finsadapted to conduct heat to the cooling material, a heat-conductingliquid filling the space between the solidifying chamber and the jacket,and means to hold the solidiying chamber so that the liquid willtransmit pressure'to the jacket and support the thin walls of thesolidiying chamber against pressure.

l0. The combination with a removable solidifying chamber .having thinand smooth heat-conducting` walls, of an outer chamber to containcooling material, a eed pipe leading to the outer chamber for deliveringcooling material for expansion in the outer chamber, a pipe for removingexpanded material,

a conducting jacket for the solidifying chamb er held spaced from thesame and having Walls formed to withstand pressure, a liquid filling thespace between the solidifying chamber and the jacket, and means to holdthe solidifying chamberso that the liquid will support the walls of thesame.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand to this specication this25th day of` January, 1929.

'Y EDWIN J LOCKWOOD.

